Agra
One simply cannot go to India without witnessing the wonder that is the Taj Mahal. This magnificent example of architecture and testimony to love is found in Agra, which also once served as capital of the Mughal dynasty. Agra, in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, might not be as cosmopolitan as New Delhi, but is nevertheless brimming with history and boasts one of the most famous buildings in the world. The Taj Mahal (or ‘Crown Palace') was built between 1631 and 1648, on the instruction of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to honour his beloved (second) wife. It has been said that around 20 000 labourers were needed to erect the marble mausoleum that is best viewed when one has time to really appreciate its detailed workmanship, colours and architectural subtleties. The crescent-shaped Agra Fort on the bank of the river Yamuna is another architectural gem, with a beautiful mosque and several marble buildings within its walls, as well as stunning views of the river and Taj Mahal. Fatehpur Sikri, yet another UNESCO world heritage site, was once a royal city now turned ghost town. Roam the silent red ruins, delve into hidden corners and discover stunning lattices, pavilions and forums.

Handy hint: Take care when taking photographs of the Taj Mahal. Its white colour may lead to pictures that are overexposed. But also take time to stop and really look at the mausoleum; don't just zoom in through the lens of a camera and forget to take a mental picture that'll last you a lifetime in case your camera fails to deliver.

Goa - The Ultimate Holiday Destination
Looking for a picture perfect holiday?  Then your search ends here: the gorgeous land of sun, sand and sea.  The balmy beaches of India are the perfect escape for the fun loving holiday seeker.  Goa is ideally situated on the western coast of the Indian Peninsula.  The Terekhol River in the north separates Goa from its neighbour Maharashtra.  The Western Ghats lie in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west. 

Check out the major attractions of Goa – comprising of exquisite churches, ancient temples, adventurous forts, wildlife preserves and lovely lakes.  Another noteworthy fact about Goa is that one third of the land is covered with forests and boasts four wildlife sanctuaries.

Churches in Goa are the most prominent legacy of the Portuguese, you may visit the world renowned Basilica of Bom Jesus.  The Church of our Lady of the Rosary reflects the amalgamation of European and Indian styles.  
Catch a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the land.  The archaeological museum and portrait gallery, the archive museums and the many art galleries in Goa.

How can a holiday be complete without shopping?  From carpets, textiles & silk to wood carvings.  Traditional crafts of Goa are pottery, terra cotta, bamboo and jewellery.   For the more adventurous, there are water sports such as sailing, diving and much more. 

At any time of the year Goa is fun and laid back, and makes it the ultimate holiday destination all year round.

Kerala
Consists of Alappuzha and Kovalum

Alappuzha
Also called Alleppey, soak in the laid-back atmosphere of a boat ride here. The pace, however, speeds up during the annual snake boat racing regatta from August to October, and the network of canals also serve the vital function of transporting goods and produce between local towns and villages. Step on land long enough to visit the water logged village of Champakulam and its old market, and admire beautiful murals at the St. Mary Forane Church, constructed in 427 AD.

Kovalum
The world-renowned beach of Kerala has attracted western tourists for over seventy years now, and continues to be the perfect place to get beach sand between your toes. Swim in the serene waters, and then complete your relaxation with a massage and sweet, refreshing fruit salad. Only ten minutes away by foot is the Kovalum Junction, where you can withdraw some cash if you are running low, or dine at the local eateries for less than the price of eating on the beach. Also visit Trivandrum, where one can find the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and temple lake, the Kanakakunnu Palace or bargain for keepsakes at the Chaalai Bazaar as reminders of your trip to the unforgettable Kerala region.

Kolkata
Calcutta was officially renamed Kolkata in 2001. The capital of West Bengal is characterized by contrasts more than anywhere else in the world - great wealth alongside acute poverty; metro rails below ground and rickshaws pulled above. This major metropolitan city can sometimes be overwhelming with all the noise, pollution and people, but Kolkata never fails to attract visitors, with its pace, vibrancy and landmarks. Getting around the city is made easy by just hopping onto the metro, which is one of the cheapest means of transportation. Tourist attractions include Howrah Bridge or Rabindra Setu. The Victoria Memorial at the end of the Maidan (an expansive park in the city) is a marble, colonial-style building in memory of Queen Victoria containing number of artefacts that shed light on the British Raj. You'll also find the Eden Gardens here, with its well-known cricket grounds, as well as Fort William, named after King William III of England and home to a football ground, market and church. The Jadughar or
Indian museum is one of the largest in the country and has a range of exhibits, including vestiges from the Indus Valley civilization. There are a number of other palaces and temples to visit in this city that is also referred to as the 'City of Processions' or 'City of Joy'. But don't forget to indulge in some shopping, such as sari-hunting in the Gariahaat Market, and souvenir stockpiling in the Dakshinapan Shopping Complex or at the New Market.

Handy hint: It can be hot and sticky here, so bring along some Evian or Avene mineral water spray to keep cool and refreshed.

Kumarakom
Kumarakom is made up of a cluster of islands and is well-known for its bird sanctuary, but also the beautiful Vembanad Lake abounding with shrimp, prawn, and pearl spotted fish called Karimeen. This is backwater country so take a boat ride to admire local life unraveling upon the shore.

Handy hint: Kumarakom enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 37°C. But even during the hot months, there's always a fresh breeze to keep you cool even in the warmest weather.

Mumbai
Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is the political capital of Maharashtra and commercial capital of India. Today it is a city of migrants as people from across the country come to settle here. Mumbai is a city with many faces. It is the world's largest textiles market, a major industrial centre and the country's busiest port handling over 40 percent of India's maritime trade. The city hums with activity with more than eleven million inhabitants and three million commuters.
Perhaps the appropriate place to begin exploring Mumbai's colonial legacy is the Gateway of India. The monument was built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. The gateway is a combination of European and Indian ceremonial architecture and it was here that the last British troops marched through when India became independent in 1947. Mumbai is also home to the Hindi-language film industry, Bollywood, which produces the largest number of films every year in the world. Since it is one of the favorite destinations amongst travellers in India, the city has exclusive boutiques run by some of India's most famous fashion designers, as well as large ethnic markets, mini bazaars and all kinds of shopping. Another interesting place to visit while in Mumbai is the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market (Crawford Market), a busy market area famous for having some of best fruits and vegetables in India. It is best to visit in the morning hours. Then there is Colaba, located at the southern tip of Mumbai, which was once called Old Woman's Island before the seven islands were united to form greater Mumbai. Colaba is a shopper's paradise replete with a host of hotels and restaurants making it a perfect tourist chill-out center. The Causeway is the tourist hub running parallel to the Gateway of India, where you can also shop to your heart's content, with the added bonus of great scope for bargaining.

Handy hint: The best time to visit Mumbai is from October to April

Periyar
The Wildlife Sanctuary allows you to get better acquainted with some more interesting species of animals. Besides elephants, there are also wild pigs, gaur, sambar, barking deer, Indian wild dog, and if you're lucky, you might see one of the sanctuary's forty tigers. It is located around the artificial Periyar Lake. Activities include elephant rides, boat trips on the lake or a visit to the stone Mangaladevi Temple. Then visit cocoa, rubber and tea plantations.

Handy hints: It rains quite a lot around these areas, so remember a raincoat. And if you're trying to spot some animals, keep in mind that they prefer to come to the lake when it is dry and stay away during and just after rainfall.

Rajasthan
Rajasthan is India's largest state, which possesses a glorious past and present-day natural splendour. It covers a large part of the Great Indian Desert, or Thar Desert, and a trip to Rajasthan will introduce you to dry yet striking desert towns, such as Jaisalmer and Bikaner. For a splash of colour, make your way to hill station Mount Abu, where you'll find rivers and forests in the middle of desert surrounds. Action-seekers can enjoy outdoor activities, from trekking to camel safaris along one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the Aravalli Range. Rajasthan is a land of intense colour, exquisite art and rich history that will impress even the most seasoned of travellers. Take a royal visit to magnificent palaces and havelis, or opt for a quieter trip to historic towns off the beaten track. Animal-lovers will be able to see rare bird species and tigers in Rajasthan's wonderful wildlife sanctuaries.

Udaipur, the 'City of Lakes' in Rajasthan, sparkles as a romantic tourist destination, with its temples, palace and cruises on Lake Picchola. In fact, its splendid scenery made it the ideal setting for the James Bond movie Octopussy. Udaipur, once the capital of the kingdom of Mewar, has a majestic past that lives on in its Rajput-era palaces, fringed by the hills of Aravallis. The City Palace, now also a museum, is by far Udaipur's crowning glory. It is actually a series of palaces, initiated by Maharana Uday Singh, but subsequent Maharanas constructed additional palaces, resulting in a construction fit for a fairytale. Enter the palace through the Hati Pol, or the Elephant Gate. Find your way to the museum section that houses numerous artefacts, then go through the Ganesh Deori, or the ‘Door of Lord Ganesh' to reach the royal courtyard, the spot said to be where a sage told Maharana Uday Singh he was to find a city here. There is certainly no better sight than the reflection of the white marble and granite palace on the surface of Lake Picchola; keep your cameras ready for its exterior but also interior beauty, such as a glass mosaic gallery in the 'Bhim Vilas' and frescoes in the queen's quarters. Less than 200m from the palace, one can find the Jagdish Temple, an ornate temple built by Maharana Jagat Singhji in 1651 in dedication to Lord Vishnu. The marble Lake Palace in the middle of Lake Picchola is definitely worthy of being called one of the most romantic hotels in the world. Staying at the hotel might not be in your budget, but catch a glimpse of this ‘floating' palace, built in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II, from aboard a cruise on the lake. Udaipur is not just about sight-seeing, however; it's also about shopping in colourful bazaars and sampling spicy foods that'll test your taste buds.

Handy hint: Rajasthan is a great all-year round destination, but the best time to visit is during the cooler months, from October to March, when the temperatures are far more comfortable.

Varanasi
Another extremely holy city for Hindus because of its association with Shiva, pilgrims flock to the ghats here, which are steps on the riverside used for ritual baths in the River Ganges. The Kedar Ghat is popular with bathers as well as tourists, who come to take pictures of the ghat's painted stripes. Take a boat ride from one of the many ghats, stroll down the alleyways, or visit some of the local temples (although some may not be open to foreign visitors).